Final answer:
The movements of sea water driven by unequal heating of Earth are called ocean currents, influenced by atmospheric flows and the Coriolis effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The movements of masses of sea water caused by the unequal heating of Earth are known as ocean currents. These currents are driven by the flows in the atmosphere which result from the unequal heating of large masses of air. The Coriolis effect, which is due to the rotational movement of the planet, also influences the pattern of these currents. Ocean currents play a significant role in distributing heat across the planet's surface, helping to regulate global climate.
It is important not to confuse these currents with tides, which are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's oceans, resulting in the alternate rising and falling of sea levels. Ocean currents are more directly related to wind patterns and water's uneven heating by the sun.